Golf training device

ABSTRACT

A training device useable for the development of physical skills in various sporting activities which includes a signalling device adapted for signalling the occurrence of a predetermined movement between a portion of the user&#39;&#39;s body and a reference member other than the portion of the user&#39;&#39;s body and which is moveable relative thereto. The signalling device is connected with one of the portion of the user&#39;&#39;s body and the reference member and includes a longitudinally stretchable elastic member which extends from an activation member of the signalling device to the other of the portion of the user&#39;&#39;s body and the reference member and is connectible thereto such that occurrence of the predetermined movement between the portion of the user&#39;&#39;s body and the reference member causes activation of the signalling device.

United States Patent [1 1 Butler Jan. 21, 1975 GOLF TRAINING DEVICE3,680,869 8/1972 Brady v. 273/183 B [76] Inventor: Warren H. Butler,1900 E. 86th St.,

p Minneapolis Minn. Przmary Exammer-Qeorge J. Marlo 55420 Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Dorsey, Marquart,

Windhorst, West & Halladay [22] Filed: June 6, 1973 21 Appl. No.:367,466 [57] ABSTRACT A training device useable for the development ofphysical skills in various sporting activities which in- [52] 273/183340/279 340/277 cludes a signalling device adapted for signalling the273/186 273/187 R occurrence of a predetermined movement between a [51]hit. Cl A61) portion f the user's y and a reference member [58] Fleld ofSearch 273/183 other than the portion of the users body and which is273/187 272/1310 DI 340/277 moveable relative thereto. The signallingdevice is 279 connected with one of the portion of the user's body andthe reference member and includes a longitudi- [56] References cuednally stretchable elastic member which extends from IT ATE PATENTS anactivation member of the signalling device to the 2,212,119 8/1940Julsrud 272/016. 5 o her of he portion of the users body and the refer-3,l38,388 6/1964 Herald 273/183 B ence member and is connectible theretosuch that oc- 3,249,359 5/1966 Goldherger 273/189 R X currence of thepredetermined movement between the Cal'mlnes B portion of the users andthe reference member rf g 2 causes activation of the signalling device.3,6433960 2/1972 Gentilly 273/183 B 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 't /0 tx ELASTIC 5 l 1 l i 13 20 z PATENTEDJANZHQYS 3.861.688

SHEET 10F 2 .F'fG, 1

ELASTIC BUZZER I'm-mound I I5 MICROSW/TCH j opO 4/ REVERS/NG SW/ TCPATENTEU JAH21 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 Fla, 5

FIG, 6

GOLF TRAINING DEVICE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates generally to a training device useable for thedevelopment of skills in various sporting activities and morespecifically, to a golf training device useable to detect and correctcertain faults in an improper golf swing.

In golf, as in many other sports, proper technique of the physicalskills is extremely important in playing the game correctly andsuccessfully. For example, in golf, the swing of the golf club is themost important part of a persons golf game and is the physical skillwhich has the most bearing on that persons golfing ability. Althoughthere are many theories as to how to achieve, or what is, a correct golfswing, there is general agreement with respect to many parts of the golfswing, particularly the relative position of certain body parts toothers or the relative movement of certain body parts with respect tosome reference member other than the golfers body. For example it isfairly well accepted by golfing pros and instructors that the left armin a right handed golfers swing should remain relatively straight duringthe swing. Further, it is well known that the back of the left hand andthe left forearm of a right handed golfer should form a straight linethroughout the swing in order to avoid striking the ball with an open orclosed clubface. It is also well accepted that the right leg of a righthanded golfer should remain relatively straight and immobile during theswing to prevent swaying of the leg and body and resulting loss ofcontrol over the point of contact between the clubface and the ball.Finally, although the exact angle between the left forearm of a righthanded golfer and the club, at the top of the backswing, may vary foreach golfer, it is well accepted that there is an optimum angle whichshould be achieved to prevent overswinging or underswinging the club.

Usually, the only manner in which a golfer can tell whether he iscommitting one or more of the above faults is to be observed by a golfinstructor. Even then, it is extremely difficult for the instructor topick out the exact cause of the improper swing or to detect when theproper relationship between certain body parts or between certain bodyparts and the club is achieved. Further, being observed by a golfinstructor is not only very expensive and time consuming, but the golferis unable to get any feedback relative to the correctness of his strokeunless the instructor is observing him. Consequently, there is a realneed for a golf training device which is capable of detecting animproper golf swing without the presence of another person orinstructor.

In contrast to the prior art, the present invention relates to a golftraining device which, can be used by a golfer to detect and correctcertain faults in his swing. Further, the device of the presentinvention can be used by the golfer while he is practicing alone withoutobservance by a golf instructor. Further, the device of the presentinvention recognizes that in a correct golf swing, correct relationshipsexist between certain body parts and a reference member which may beanother part of the golfers body, the club or a stationary member suchas the ground. Thus, the device of the present invention is designed todetect when these certain relationships are not achieved and to indicatewhen they are. More specifically, the golf training device of thepresent invention includes a signalling means secured to a certainportion of the golfers body and a connecting means connected with andextending between the signal means and a reference member which may beanother portion of the golfers body, the golf'club itself, or astationary object such as the ground. With such device, the golfer isable to detect and correct various faults in his swing. For example,appropriate connection of the device of the present invention to theleft arm of a right handed golfer will detect a bending of the left armduring the swing. Further, appropriate connection of the device betweenthe left forearm and the back of the left hand will detect when impropermovement of the left wrist occurs. Additionally, appropriate connectionof the device between the left forearm and the club shaft will enablethe golfer to determine whether he is overswinging or underswinging hisclub and will enable him to determine the angle between the club shaftand his left arm at the top of his back swing. Finally, the device ofthe present invention, when appropriately connected between the rightleg of a right handed golfer and the ground, will enable the golfer todetect if his right leg is swaying from side to side during the swing.

By using the device of the present invention in the manner describedabove, as well as in other ways, the golfer will not only be able todevelop and perfect his swing, but more importantly, will be able toobtain further distance in hisshots, hit straighter shots, and maximizethe use of his body during the swing. Further, by properly developinghis swing, the golfer will be able to attain better accuracy and willenable him to feel" when he has achieved such a proper swing.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a golftraining device capable of detecting and correcting certain faults in agolfers swing without being observed by a golfing pro or instructor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf trainingdevice which is capable of detecting and signalling when certainrelationships between parts of a golfers body and a reference membersuch as another part of the golfers body, the golf club, or the ground,are not achieved.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a trainingdevice useable for the development of skills in various sportingactivities, including golf, without the presence of an instructor todetect an improper performance or accomplishment of such skill.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a golf trainingdevice for use by a golf professional or instructor for aiding him inthe instruction of and the detection of faults in the golf swing of hisstudents.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentwith reference to the drawings, the description of the preferredembodiment, and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trainingdevice of the present invention.

to monitor the relative movement between the left backhand and the leftforearm.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged plan view of the signaling device depicted inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially in section, of the signalling meansused in the training device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a third view showing the training device of the presentinvention in use as a golf training device.

FIG. 6 is a fourth view showing the training device of the presentinvention in use as a golf training device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first to FIG. 1,the training device illustrated in the preferred embodiment is a golftraining device which includes a signalling means 10 and a means 11 forselectively attaching the signalling means 10 to a portion of thegolfers body. The attachment means includes an elongated, relativelyrectangular leather strap member 11 which is secured, near its center,to the signalling means 10 by appropriate means such as a pair of screwsextending through the strap 1 1 and through one side of the shell 15.Connected with each end of the member 1 l is a means for securing thestrap 11 to a portion of the golfers body. This means includes two pairof mating strips 12 and 14 which are appropriately positioned on thestrap member 11 as illustrated. In thepreferred embodiment, these strips12 and 14 are made from the material identified by the trademark Velcromanufactured by American Velcro, Inc. of Manchester, New Hampshire. Tosecure the strap 11, and thus the signalling means 10, to a portion ofthe golfers body as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the strap 11 iswrapped around the desired portion of the body so that the strips 14engage the strips 12.

As illustrated best in FIG. 4, the signal means 10 includes a relativelycylindrical shell portion 15 constructed of a relatively light weightmaterial such as aluminum or plastic and a buzzer 18 connected at oneendof the cylindrical shell 15 by an appropriate connecting means such asthe screw 16 (FIG. 1). In the preferred embodiment, the buzzer 18 is abuzzer which is known as a Mallory Mini-sonalert", No. SC 1.5 which ismanufactured by P. R. Mallory Company of Indianapolis, Indiana.Connected with the buzzer 18 is a battery 39 for providing electricalenergy thereto. Also disposed within the shell 15 is a microswitch 40which is secured to one end of the shell 15 by the screws 45 and areversing switch 41 connected with one end of the shell 15 by the locknut 44. A suitable microswitch 40 is a No. A]- Sl-l l5-4 microswitchmanufactured by Potter and Brumfield of Gainsville, Georgia whichincludes a switch member 20 extending through a hole formed in the shell15 whose movement actuates the microswitch 40. The reversing switch 41is a panel switch No. MST- l05D manufactured by Raytheon Corporation ofBurlington, Massachusetts and includes a switching knob 42 extendingoutside of the shell 15 to permit manual switching. Although notspecifically illustrated, each of the buzzer 18, the microswitch 40 andthe reversing switch 41 is electrically connected with the others toenable the signalling device to function in the desired switch 40 isbiased in an off position. However. when switch 20 is moved, activationof the buzzer 18 occurs. If the switch 42 is then reversed or switchedto the second of two positions (hereinafter referred to as the secondposition), the switching member 20 will be biased in an on positioncausing activation of the buzzer l8 and requiring movement of the switch20 to stop the buzzer.

Specifically, when the reversing switch 41 is in the first of twopositions, which position is indicated in FIG. 3A by the broken line42A, the switching member 20 of the microswitch 40 is biased in an offposition or that position indicated by the broken line 20A. However,when the switch 20 is moved toward the right as viewed in FIG. 3A to theposition indicated by the solid lines, activation of the buzzer 18occurs. If the switch 42 is then reversed or switched to the second oftwo positions, which position is indicated in FIG. 3A by the solid line42, the switching member 20 of the microswitch 40 will be biased in anon" position indicated by the broken line 20A, causing activation of thebuzzer 18. Under these circumstances, movement of the element 20 to theright as viewed in FIG. 3A is required to deactivate the buzzer 18.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the buzzer 18 is secured to the shell 15by appropriate means such as the screw 16. Connected with the switchingmember 20 of the microswitch 40 (FIG. 4) is an elastic connecting cord19 which is connected at one end to the switch 20 by means of a knot inthe end of the cord 19. The other end of the cord 19 is secured to aconnecting member adapted for connection with a reference member such asanother portion of the golfers body, the shaft of the golf club, or tothe ground. It should be noted that for proper functioning of the device10, the elasticity of the cord 19 must be such that initial tensioningof the cord 19 will causeactuation of the switch 20 but additionalstretching or tensioning will not significantly affect the golfersswing. In FIG. 1, the cord 19 is connected with a clasp 21 by anappropriate screw member 22. The clasp 21, in turn, is intended to beconnected to the shaft of a golf club in the manner illustrated in FIG.2. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the cord 33 extends from theswitch 20 over a portion of the container 15 and connects with areference member. In the present drawings, the travel of the cord 33 isguided, in part, by the surface of the container. Although notspecifically illustrated, it is contemplated that a guide means could beconnected with the container 15 in the form of an eyelet or loop toguide the travel of the cord 33 during operation of the device.

Having now described the training device of the present invention indetail, several examples of how the device may be used as a golftraining device will be described. With reference first to FIG. 2, itcan be seen that the training device of the present invention can beused to detect when the proper angle between the left forearm of a righthanded golfer and the club shaft is attained during the backswing. InFIG. 2, the golfer 30 is shown with the club, his right and left arms,and his right and left hands (reference numerals 24, 29, 26, 28 and 25respectively) in their proper position at the top of the back swing. Itshould be noted that in this position, a critical relationship existsbetween the golfers left arm 26 and the shaft of the golf club 24.Although the optimum angle between the left arm 26 and the shaft 24 mayvary depending upon the golfer, it is im- ,portant for each golfer toattain a certain angle which is best suited for his swing. Through theuse of the training device as illustrated in FIG. 2, the golfer 30 candetermine if he takes the club too far back (overswings) or whether hedoes not take the club back far enough (underswings).

To use the device in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, the switch 42(FIG. 4) is disposed in the second position so that tensioning of thecord 19 results in nonactivation of the signal means 10, and the strap11 is appropriately secured to the left wrist of the golfer. The club 24and left arm 26 are then disposed at the desired angle and the clasp 21is connected with the shaft of the club 24 and slid along the shaft 24until it reaches a point when the cord 19 is tensioned just enough toprevent activation of the signal means 10. The golfer then takes severalnatural swings with the club. If the buzzer sounds as he nears the endof his backswing, it means that he is overswinging, or that the clubshaft 24 has moved too far relative to his left arm 26. This generallymeans that the player is too wristy, a condition which often results ina late hit of the ball and/or loss of control of the club. The objectiveof the user when he realizes that he is overswinging, is to restrain thebackswing movement of his club until he reaches the point at which thebuzzer is not actuated.

If, when the golfer takes his several normal swings, the buzzer does notsound, he may conclude either that he has a proper backswing (in termsof the relationship between his left arm 26 and the club 24), or that heis underswinging. For one who underswings, the shaft of the club 24 doesnot reach the full angle with the left arm 26 that it should. In such asituation, the golfers wrists are not fully cocked and his swing is tootight. To correct this, the golfer would practice swinging the club,continually increasing the amount of backswing, until the buzzer sounds.When this occurs, the golfer knows that he has achieved a sufficientlyfull backswing.

Referring next to FIG. 3, another illustration of the training device inuse can be seen. In this illustration the device is used to detectimproper movement of the back side of the left hand 32 relative to theleft forearm 31. Preferably, the back of the left hand 32 and the leftforearm 31 should form a straight line which should be maintainedthroughout the swing. If this is not done, a hooked or sliced ball willresult. For example, if, during the swing, the left hand 32 is bentinwardly, the clubhead will strike the ball with a closed face, thusresulting in a hook. If, however, the left hand is pivoted outwardlyrelative to the left forearm, the clubhead will be open, thus resultingin a slice. To detect such movement of the lefthand 32 relative to theleft forearm 31, the device of the present invention is connected asshown in FIG. 3.

As illustrated, the strap 11 is secured to the left forearm 31 such thatthe signal means 10 is in the position illustrated. Next, the elasticcord 33, which is shorter than the cord 19 of FIG. 2, is connected by anappropriate connecting means 36 to a mating connecting means 38 which issecured to the golfers glove 35. It should be noted that the position ofthe connecting means 38 and the length of the cord 33 are such as topermit connection between the members 36 and 38 when the left hand 32and left forearm 31 are in the proper position. Next, the switch 42 ismoved to the first position so that tensioning of the cord 33 causesactivation of the buzzer and the member 36 is secured to the member 38so that the cord 33 is slightly tensioned but not enough to activate thebuzzer when the relationship between the left forearm 31 and left hand32 is proper. The golfer now takes several practice swings. If thebuzzer sounds, he can conclude that he is bending his left wristinwardly, a condition which may result in a hooked ball. He should thenattempt to correct his swing until the buzzer is not activated duringthis swing. If, however, during several normal swings, the buzzer doesnot sound, it means that the golfer is moving his left hand 32 outwardlywith respect to his left forearm 31 or that he is maintaining his lefthand 32 and left arm 31 in a proper relationship. In this case, he wouldswitch the reversing switch 42 (FIG. 4) to the second position andsecure the portion 36 to the portion 38 such that the cord 33 istensioned just enough to actuate the switch 20. Then, if the buzzersounds during several normal swings, the golfer can conclude that he ispivoting his left hand 32 outwardly relative to his left arm 31, asituation which most likely will result in an open club face or a slicedball. If the buzzer does not sound, the golfer may conclude that therelative movement between his left hand and his left forearm is proper.

The training device of the present invention may be used to detectimproper leg movement during a swing. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the device 10 may be attached to a right handed golfers rightleg 49 in the manner illustrated with an elastic cord 47 extendingdownwardly from the device and connected to the ground by an appropriateconnecting means 50. To function properly for this purpose, the switch42 (FIG. 4) should be placed in the first position such that tensioningof the cord 47 will activate the buzzer 10. The connecting means 50should then be placed in the ground at a position such that when thegolfer is in a normal stance, the cord 47 is slightly tensioned but notenough to actuate the buzzer. Next, the golfer 46 takes several practiceswings. If the buzzer sounds during his swings, it means that thegolfers right leg 49 is swaying to the left as viewed in FIG. 5. Suchmovement of the right leg during a golf swing is undesirable since itleads to loss of control in striking the ball properly. Thus, the golfershould practice swinging until he achieves a swing which does notactivate the buzzer.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the trainingdevice of the present inventioncan also be used to detect when a right handed golfers left arm 52 isnot kept straight, as it should be, during a swing. To be used in thismanner, the strap 11 is connected to the left wrist with the device 10disposed as shown. The switch 42 (FIG. 4) is then moved to the secondposition so that the buzzer will not sound when the elastic cord 56 issufficiently tensioned. The end of the cord 56 which is not connectedwith the device 10 is then connected by an appropriate means to a band54 connected with the upper left arm of the golfer 51. If the buzzersounds during a normal swing, with the training device connected in thismanner, the golfer can conclude that his left arm is bending duringthe-swing. The result would most probably be loss of control of the cluband nonuniformity in the swing.

Although the description of the preferred embodiment has been quitespecific, it is contemplated that various changes could be made withoutdeviating from the spirit of the present invention. Thus, the scope ofthe present invention should be measured by the appended claims ratherthan by the description of the preferred embodiment.

I claim: 1. A training device usable for the development of physicalskills in various sporting activities comprising: a signaling device forsignaling the occurrence of a predetermined relative movement between afirst portion of a users body and a reference member other than saidfirst portion of the users body and in which at least one of said firstposition and reference member is moveable relative to the other when theuser practices such sporting activity, said signaling means having anactivation member movable between first and second positions, one ofsaid positions being an activating position at which said activationmember activates the signaling device to produce a desired signal, andthe other of said positions being a non-activating position at whichsaid activation member prevents the signaling device from producing sucha signal; means for connecting said signaling device to one of saidfirst portion of the users body and said reference member; and alongitudinally stretchable elastic member having one end connected tosaid activation member of said signaling device and having another endwith connecting means for connection of said other end to the other saidfirst portion of the users body and said reference member, such thatsaid activation member is moved to its signal activating position whensaid predetermined movement between said first portion of the users bodyand said reference member occurs, the elasticity of said elastic memberbeing such that initial stretching of said elastic member causesmovement of said activation member from said first to said secondposition. but such that further stretching of said elasticmember permitsrelative movement between said first portion of the users body and saidreference member while the activation member is held in said secondposition, without significantly restraining the relative movement andperformance of the user.

2. The device of claim 1 being a golf training device.

3. The golf training device of claim 2 wherein said signalling device isan audio signalling device.

4. The golf training device of claim 3 having a reversing switch with atleast a first and second position such that when said reversing switchis in said first position, the first position of said activation membercorresponds to said signal activating position and stretching of saidelastic member moves said activation member to its non-activatingposition, and such that when said reversing switch is in said secondposition, the first position of said activation member corresponds tosaid non-activating position and stretching of said elastic member movessaid activation member to its activating position.

5. The golf training device of claim 2 having means for connecting saidsignaling device to said first portion of the users body and whereinsaid reference member is a second portion of the users body.

6. The golf training device of claim 2 having means for connecting saidsignalling device to the wrist of the user and wherein said referencemember is a golf club shaft.

7. The golf training device of claim 2 having means for connecting saidsignalling device to the leg of the user and wherein said referencemember is a golfing surface.

1. A training device usable for the development of physical skills invarious sporting activities comprising: a signaling device for signalingthe occurrence of a predetermined relative movement between a firstportion of a user''s body and a reference member other than said firstportion of the user''s body and in which at least one of said firstposition and reference member is moveable relative to the other when theuser practices such sporting activity, said signaling means having anactivation member movable between first and second positions, one ofsaid positions being an activating position at which said activationmember activates the signaling device to produce a desired signal, andthe other of said positions being a non-activating position at whichsaid activation member prevents the signaling device from producing sucha signal; means for connecting said signaling device to one of saidfirst portion of the user''s body and said reference member; and alongitudinally stretchable elastic member having one end connected tosaid activation member of said signaling device and having another endwith connecting means for connection of said other end to the other saidfirst portion of the user''s body and said reference member, such thatsaid activation member is moved to its signal activating position whensaid predetermined movement between said first portion of the user''sbody and said reference member occurs, the elasticity of said elasticmember being such that initial stretching of said elastic member causesmovement of said activation member from said first to said secondposition, but such that further stretching of said elastic memberpermits relative movement between said first portion of the user''s bodyand said reference member while the activation member is held in saidsecond position, without significantly restraining the relative movementand performance of the user.
 2. The device of claim 1 being a golftraining device.
 3. The golf training device of claim 2 wherein saidsignalling device is an audio signalling device.
 4. The golf trainingdevice of claim 3 having a reversing switch with at least a first andsecond position such that when said reversing switch is in said firstposition, the first position of said activation member corresponds tosaid signal activating position and stretching of said elastic membermoves said activation member to its non-activating position, and suchthat when said reversing switch is in said second position, the firstposition of said activation member corresponds to said non-activatingposition and stretching of said elastic member moves said activationmember to its activating position.
 5. The golf training device of claim2 having means for connecting said signaling device to said firstportion of the user''s body and wherein said reference member is asecond portion of the user''s body.
 6. The golf training device of claim2 having means for connecting said signalling device to the wrist of theuser and wherein said reference member is a golf club shaft.
 7. The golftraining device of claim 2 having means for connecting said signallingdevice to the leg of the user and wherein said reference member is agolfing surface.